In Indianapolis, Indiana, a two-year-old girl, Skylar Gardner, was found dead in her home under heartbreaking circumstances. The incident occurred on Newberry Road, where Skylar’s mother, Chantell Gardner, called 911 after discovering her unresponsive daughter. Chantell said she was preparing dinner for her two children, both under the age of five, when only her son came to eat. After searching the house, she found Skylar’s lifeless body under a dresser. She immediately grabbed her son and left the house before calling for help.
When police and emergency responders arrived, they found the home in extremely poor condition. The apartment was filled with rotting food, trash, and human feces. Reports described the floors as being so cluttered with garbage and soiled items that they were barely visible. The walls and furniture were smeared with feces, and there was a strong smell of decay throughout the home. Steak knives were also found on the floor, posing further danger.
Emergency medical teams noted that rigor mortis had already set in when they examined Skylar. Court documents revealed that the toddler had multiple injuries, including bruises on her face, arms, legs, and back, as well as a puncture wound on her neck. Authorities also found evidence of severe neglect, with Skylar’s body showing signs of prolonged lack of care.
When questioned by police, Chantell admitted to leaving her children alone at home for several hours daily. She claimed she would return once a day to bring them food and water. She also confessed that her children were often covered in feces and that she hadn’t bathed them in over a week. According to her boyfriend, Brian Thomas, Chantell stayed at his house every night, leaving her young children unsupervised.
Despite admitting to neglecting her daughter, Chantell denied physically harming her. However, she was arrested on a preliminary charge of neglect of a dependent resulting in death. Investigations revealed that Skylar had been living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions for an extended period, raising serious concerns about her care and well-being.
This tragic case has shocked the local community and highlighted the devastating consequences of severe neglect and child abuse.
